Alabama Fights for Victory After Shaky Start Vs. Arkansas State

Alabama's first half of play against Arkansas State left a lot to be desired, with sloppy play and a multitude of fouls leading to the Crimson Tide's slim three-point lead over the Arkansas State Redwolves at halftime.

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Fouls were the name of the game in the first half, with Alabama and Arkansas State shooting a combined 53 free throws on 31 fouls in the first half. Alabama had several key players in foul trouble going into halftime when Jarin Stevenson picked up his fourth foul with just over four minutes left in the first half. Derrion Reid and Aden Holloway both had three fouls for Alabama.

In the second half, Arkansas State would not go quietly into the night. Head coach Bryan Hodgson had his team fighting, clawing, and scratching for every loose ball and defensive stop, similar to how Alabama fights for blue-collar points. Hodgson being a former assistant of Oats made this game almost a mirror image of two teams who play a similar style of basketball.

The talented depth combined with veteran leadership of the Crimson Tide appeared to be the difference maker. Alabama runs 11-deep with the redshirting of Houston Mallette and Naas Cunningham, meaning Alabama can withstand the storm of foul trouble and injuries. Alabama's depth was tested on Friday night, with Jarin Stevenson, Aden Holloway, Derrion Reid, and Clifford Omoruyi all in foul trouble.

Alabama's closing lineup consisted of three players who were on the Crimson Tide's Final Four roster last season: Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. The other two were Labaron Philon and Derrion Reid.

Alabama's traditional style of play was not clicking for much of the contest. Therefore, Alabama had to shift its philosophy for the night. Alabama shifted from an offense that rained threes better than anyone else in the country to an offense that dominated the low post and controlled the clock while standing in the paint. Alabama scored almost half of its points in the paint tonight, finishing with 42 points in the paint.

Credit is due to Bryan Hodgson and the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Alabama came out lax in this game and almost found itself on the wrong side of the win/loss column. Arkansas State is a good, physical team that showed tonight why they should have been selected to win the Sun Belt conference.

Alabama ultimately defeats Arkansas State in a concerning game 88-79 to advance to 2-0 on the young season. The blue-collar points were needed in every facet tonight for Alabama.

The Crimson Tide will have to work on three-point shooting and defending without fouling before Will Wade's McNeese State squad shows up to Tuscaloosa on November 11.

Stat Leaders

Points - Mark Sears - 19
Assists - Labaron Philon - 3
Rebounds - Clifford Omoruyi - 9

Players in Double Figures

Mark Sears - 19 points
Clifford Omoruyi - 12 points
Grant Nelson - 12 points
Labaron Philon - 12 points
Derrion Reid - 10 points

Alabama's next game will be on Monday, November 11, when the Crimson Tide host the McNeese State Cowboys at 6:00 p.m. CT. The Alabama radio broadcast can be heard on Tide 100.9 and 95.3 The Bear.

The game will be televised on the SEC Network.

Wyatt Fulton is the TIde 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.